Plot: What’s it about?
Several years ago Director Paul Greengrass gave us perhaps one of the best movies about September 11th. It was aptly-titled United 93 and it told the tale of the passengers on that flight and what might have happened on that fateful day. However it might be said that Greengrass is better-known for his collaborations with actor Matt Damon (someone who Tom Hanks called upon before the shoot for Captain Phillips started) as he took the reigns from Director Doug Liman with the Bourne movies. What’s always attracted me to his work is his style and action. He often uses handheld cameras which, while distracting, seem to get you right in the face of the action. And so it was that he and star of stars Tom Hanks teamed up for Captain Phillips, the true story of a hijacked cargo ship. I have to imagine that when working with Tom Hanks, you’re working with one of the more professional actors out there. Nevertheless, this teaming showed that neither have lost their respective touches. Let’s take a look.
Captain Richard Phillips (Tom Hanks) is a grizzled veteran and a consummate professional. He runs a tight ship and insists on the best from his crew. However when doing a rather routine run, he very quickly deduces that his ship is being sought after by a group of Somali pirates. Taking all the necessary steps, he tries his best to thwart them, but it’s not meant to be. Led by Muse (Barkhad Abdi), they demand money among other things. But Phillips is one step ahead of them, claiming the ship is dead in the water and he’s wisely hid his crew in the engine room. With help on the way, Muse and his crew are forced to retreat in a lifeboat, but not before taking Phillips hostage. Things go from bad to worse when the Navy shows up and it becomes a standoff. Is all hope lost or is there a light at the end of the tunnel for Captain Phillips?
If you’re familiar with this story then you know the answer to that question. I, however won’t be so bold as to ruin the ending in this review. That’s the crux when reviewing a movie based on real-life events. The film was nominated for six Academy Awards including Best Picture but it came up empty-handed when all was said and done. Admittedly I think it’s Hanks’ finest work since 2000’s Cast Away, but then again I’m not a voting member of the Academy. Suffice it to say that the film moves at a fast pace and the 134 minutes seem to simply fly by. Better yet, this story is all true. And while we think of pirates wearing eye patches and wielding swords, this is a very real threat. Captain Phillips manages to do something that many movies try to do (and fail), it’s really a great, all around film and is not to be missed.
Video: How’s it look?
I was impressed by the way the film looked on Blu-ray, so to see this in 4K was a real treat. Given the film is relatively “new” there wasn’t a lot of room for improvement. Detail is strong throughout as well as colors and flesh tones. We get plenty of shots of the ocean, filling the screen with bluish tones which are contrasted by the somewhat pedestrian-looking interior of a cargo ship. There’s a tad bit more detail with this 4K version as well as some improvement on the color spectrum. By now we know what to expect with a new 4K release of a film of this age.
Audio: How’s it sound?
Also getting a bump is the new Dolby Atmos mix. The film always has something going on and this track accompanies it well with strong surrounds and clear vocals. The score comes through strong as well. There are various shots fired and that gives the rear channels something to do. Waves splashing add some nice depth to a number of scenes. Overall, this is a trouble free track that supports the film and the strong transfer well.
Supplements: What are the extras?
Disc One (4K)
- Theatrical Trailer
Disc Two (Blu-ray)
- Audio Commentary – Paul Greengrass provides a running track for the film. It’s informative and fans will want to give it a listen.
- Capturing Captain Phillips – This is broken into three separate features (Embarkation, Full Ahead, and Stand Fast). A lot of ground is covered across these three features and provide a good background on the making of the film.
- Previews
The Bottom Line
I’d forgotten how much I enjoyed this film. Then again anything with Tom Hanks is generally always a good time. The film, whilc long (134 minutes) manages to hold your attention and provides an atmosphere of tension throughout. This new 4K version looks and sounds stunning, though the addition of no new supplemental features is a bit of a bummer. Nevertheless, if this one has eluded you – no time like now to pick it up.
